Inspector slams head teacher in report

An education watchdog has slammed the headteacher of a failing primary school in a report published this week.
St Giles C of E Primary SchoolSt Giles C of E Primary School
St Giles C of E Primary School

St Giles Primary School, in Matlock, was placed in special measures last year and upon visiting the school at the beginning of the month, an Ofsted inspector found it was not making the progress needed to lift it out of special measures.

Head teacher Julie Stanton was removed from her post last month following calls from parents for her to stand down.

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In a report published on the Ofsted website, inspector Dorothy Bathgate stated: “There is insufficient urgency and drive from the headteacher in tackling the areas for improvement which relate to pupils’ achievement or the quality of teaching.

“She has not been robust enough in checking whether actions which have been agreed are happening in all classes.”

The report added: “The headteacher lacks the capacity to set direction decisively, implement strategies consistently and secure the confidence of all parents and staff.”

An interim headteacher is now running the school.

The inspector did comment that the quality of teaching had gone up since the previous inspection.

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She said: “This is because teachers have been open to, and willing to change their practice as a result of professional development opportunities provided by local authority consultants and advisers.”

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “This report appears to lay to rest any accusations that the head teacher was removed as a result of the actions of concerned parents and demonstrates the that the recently departed head teacher was the architect of her own downfall.

“Since her departure the change in atmosphere at the school has been remarkable.

“It is happy, positive and optimistic, and parents can now pull together to support the excellent staff and local authority team as they inevitably bring the school out of special measures.”

To view the report in full, visit www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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